Recording breakup

As the focus of a vigorous betting tradition, the exact time and date of breakup has been recorded annually since 1896. These breakup times note the moment when the ice moves the tripod on the Yukon River at Dawson.

A tripod is set up on the ice, and connected by cable to the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre. When the ice starts moving, it takes the tripod with it and stops the clock, recording the official break up time.